We use cookies on our website to ensure that we give you the best user experience. The cookies we use are completely safe and don't contain any sensitive information. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you're happy to receive all cookies on our website. However, we've also provided further information should you wish to read more about our cookies or change your cookie settings.
Read about cookies

NUS and UCU working together for One Day Without Us campaign

20 February 2017
| last updated: 23 February 2017

Students and staff will be taking part in a series of events around the country to mark One Day Without Us; a campaign that highlights the contribution migrants make to the UK and encourages people to consider what we would lose if there were no migrants living here.

The two organisations are encouraging their members to join in with local events today and take to social media to show their support for today's events and a vote in Parliament this evening where MPs will debate whether or not Donald Trump should receive a full state visit.

There will be meetings and rallies on campuses across the UK today and people in London are encouraged to attend a protest in Parliament Square to coincide with tonight's vote.

FULL STATEMENT FROM UCU AND NUS:

Following the Brexit vote last year, and the election of Donald Trump as US President, it is clear that some of our most marginalised communities are under attack. Irresponsible politicians and nasty and divisive media outlets want us to blame some of those communities for our economic and social difficulties, in particular migrants.

The truth is that, far from being the source of our problems, migrants help to solve them. Migrants make an incredibly important contribution to the UK and without international students and staff the higher education sector would be intellectually, culturally and financially poorer.

UCU and the National Union of Students (NUS) are very proud to be working together to defend migrants' rights and challenge the narrative of the media and certain politicians. We are asking you to participate in two events today (Monday 20 February) which support this aim.

First, today is the day of action for One Day Without Us; a campaign that aims to highlight the contribution migrants make to the UK and encourage the UK to consider just what we would lose if there were no migrants living here.

On many campuses students' unions and UCU branches have been working together on plans for the day. In some cases, international students and their allies will be walking out at 11am, there are meetings and rallies taking place and everyone is encouraged to tweet their support on the #1DayWithoutUs and #StudentsForMigrants hashtags. For more information on what is happening locally click here.

Second, this evening Parliament will debate whether or not Donald Trump should be allowed to visit the UK. Rescinding the invitation to visit would send an incredibly powerful signal that his racism, sexism and xenophobia cannot be tolerated.

The vote will not be binding but it would ensure maximum pressure is placed on the government to reconsider its decision. We are asking students and staff to write to their MPs to vote in favour of cancelling Trump's visit, and attend a demonstration in Parliament Square this evening.

Please get involved in these events and in other actions in the weeks and months to come. Together, we can show solidarity with migrants, and defeat the tide of xenophobia sweeping the UK.